The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-02-19

knowledge of the character of God |
which Christ illustrates by his teaching |
and example. And the religious world
is now receiving that view of the atone
ment, though the UNCONVENTIONAL lead
ers still insist that this sublime view of
the atonement is heresy /; and though
they anathematize such good men as
DR.. Thomas and others for accepting
it.
In these six particulars, noted by DR..
Patton, we see, even by the brief con-
sideration we have bestowed on each of
them, that the great effort of Univer-
salism has not been fruitless effort
that the things accomplished have not
been Insignificant things. We see, in
fact, that the work which Universalism
has done in compelling these results is
a mightier work, by far, than the up
building of powerful denominations,
which work some sects have very sue
cessfully wrought, while doing moth
ing for the progress of truth and for
the extension of the pure gospel of love,
only in so far as they have appropriated
the leaven Of Universalism, while still
holding on to the form of Partialism.
We see in this view of the case great
cause for encouragement in our contin-
ued labor for truth and humanity,
knowing that as faithful effort has been
so largely rewarded with rich results in
the past, so it will continue to be re-
warded in the future. Moreover, when
we look at the matter even in a de-
nominational light, we see that, consid-
ering the fact of all other denomina-
lions being opposed to our church, how
ever divided on other points, always
united in the effort to suppress our
movement, - Universalist effort has
done much even in this particular, and
that with body Of 966 parishes, en-
bracing $4,000 families, 1855 preachers,
S02 church edifices, II periodicals, IL
colleges and academies, and 81 500 900
of parish and school property, in rails
ing up denomination of these dimen-
sions, we have demonstrated that our
effort has not been failure, but sue
cess; and the success ought to inspire
us with the thought that a cause which
has been so fruitful of good to the
world las this eminent orthodox divine
has shown is entitled to have denom-
ination also,-a denomination so well
established, so widely extended, and so
thoroughly and honestly and harmon
iously managed, that it shall rank as
inferior to no order in the land. 1t is
in the power of Universalists, and those
who incline to Universalist ideas, to
make our denomination all that; for by
altogether working unitedly and liber-
ally and lovingly and earnestly, the de-
nomination will grow, as the faith is
diffused, though until now the extern
sion of our faith has far exceeded the
growth of our church. Our church, in
its present dimensions, falls far short of
equalling the spread of our faith. 1t
is our privilege to have church ex-
tending as widely as the faith extends
All that is needed to bring this about is
for devoted, united and steadfast effort
to characterize our people everywh ere.
Does any one suggest that we want
just one thing more for our complete
success, viz, the divine blessing? We
answer: We know perfectly well that,
if we supply the conditions we have
named, we shall have that divine bless
ing. Therefore, laying aside all guile
from our hearts and loving one another,
and forgiving one another, let US dedi-
cate our being anew to the worthy work
to which we are called in Christ, the
work of spreading the knowledge of
| the truth among men, and of raising up
a church in the world, which shall do
honor to the high cause we assume to
serve. JIM.